This expansion will add 2,248 sq km of 3D data. (Image source: TGS)

Energy data and intelligence provider, TGS, has expanded 3D seismic coverage for its Benin MegaSurvey, in collaboration with Societe Nationale des Hydrocarbures du Benin (SNH-B)

This strategic initiative aims to deepen understanding of the region’s subsurface geology and unlock its untapped hydrocarbon potential. 

Previously, TGS had also acquired data from countries such as Tanzania and Liberia. 

With this expansion, the company will add 2,248 sq km of high-quality conventional 3D seismic data to the existing Benin MegaSurvey. The expanded coverage will span from the continental shelf to the slope, offering a comprehensive view of the area and revealing previously untapped exploration potential.

Seamless data integration

Besides the seismic expansion, TGS has also incorporated 10 wells into its advanced tool, RockAVO atlas, which integrates seismic data with well information, offering explorers a powerful suite of capabilities. It features the Interactive Rock Physics Atlas, which allows to explore rock physics models, analyse elastic properties, and visualise seismic AVO responses for detailed subsurface insights.

Explorers can access a wealth of well logs, rock physics models, and data atlases in a single platform, streamlining exploration workflows through its Well Data Integration platform.

While there is a Scenario Testing facility that helps screen for geological analogs, and assess lithology, fluid content, and porosity to de-risk plays and enhance decision-making, the tool also ensures data accuracy and seismic image integrity with enhanced Quality Control features. 

Exploration interests in Benin have been growing lately with companies such as Rex International Holding and  Zenith Energy operating in the Seme Field. 

The survey will be conducted by the dual ROV-equipped SW Tasman. (Image source: Shearwater)

Shearwater Geoservices Holding AS has signed an ocean bottom node (OBN) project contract with TotalEnergies in Angola

The deepwater OBN survey will be conducted by the dual remotely operated vehicle (ROV)-equipped SW Tasman, the fit-for-purpose seismic node laying vessel which was converted in 2023, and SW Gallien as source vessel. A three-month-long operation approximately, the survey will commence in January 2025, with Shearwater deploying its compact high-endurance Pearl node in Block 32 over the Louro and Mostarda fields. The company has previously completed a 4D streamer survey in the region for TotalEnergies. 

TotalEnergies keeps cementing its presence in Angola as the major reached a US$6bn final investment decision (FID) on the Kaminho Deepwater Development in May, marking the first major deepwater development in the Kwanza Basin.

Introducing deepwater OBN

Shearwater CEO, Irene Waage Basili, said, "We are very satisfied with the performance of our SW Tasman/Pearl OBN platform which has been in continuous operation since its introduction last year. We are pleased to see one more key client use this unique platform to introduce deepwater OBN to new areas of their operations." 

Last month, the company has also secured a 4D seismic monitoring contract for the Jubilee field in Ghana, operated by Tullow Ghana Ltd.

STRYDE’s Mini System enables small-scale seismic projects. (Image source: STRYDE)

Onshore seismic solutions provider, STRYDE, has secured six new contracts with leading academic institutions to provide its solutions, including its newest offering, STRYDE Mini System, across the United States, Europe and Africa

These institutions are leveraging STRYDE’s cutting-edge technology to advance a variety of subsurface research initiatives in 2024, including geothermal well monitoring, geohazard identification for civil engineering, agritech, and mine development.

STRYDE’s new Mini System is a complete nodal seismic system specifically designed to enable small-scale seismic projects, including research projects for the academic sector. The company is known for providing the 'world’s smallest and lightest nodal seismic imaging system'.

High-density seismic capabilities

Mike Popham, STRYDE CEO, said, “Our agile and lightweight seismic system offers a rapid, cost-effective solution for seismic data acquisition.

“At STRYDE, we understand that high costs can hinder fundamental research and development, and I am proud that by further miniaturising our system, we’ve removed this barrier to innovation and can fulfil our mission of delivering high-density seismic capabilities across various industries. This advancement supports the next generation of geoscientists by equipping them with essential tools for conducting crucial research.”

A STRYDE user at Rice University said, "This survey was the highest in density and channel count ever conducted by our team. Achieving our desired trace density within our time and labour constraints would not have been possible without STRYDE's agile nodes.

“The lightweight nature of these nodes marked a significant advancement for us, allowing for high-density deployments on foot, even in rough terrain.”

STRYDE’s technology has been deployed on a global scale, where over 760,000 unique nodes have been delivered to the market, supporting over 260 projects, in over 50 different countries, across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, and emerging renewables markets. One of the company's latest offerings include STRYDE Lens, an integrated in-field data processing service, which offers expedited access to interpretation-ready onshore subsurface images.

Cesium is a foundational open platform for creating powerful 3D geospatial applications. (Image source: Bentley)

Infrastructure engineering software company, Bentley Systems, has acquired 3D geospatial company Cesium

A foundational open platform for creating powerful 3D geospatial applications, Cesium's 3D Tiles open standard has been particularly popular.

Bentley’s iTwin Platform powers digital twin solutions that are used by engineering and construction firms and owner-operators to design, build, and operate the world’s infrastructure. The combination of Cesium plus iTwin enables developers to seamlessly align 3D geospatial data with engineering, subsurface, IoT, reality, and enterprise data to create digital twins with user experiences that scale from vast infrastructure networks to the millimeter-accurate details of individual assets—viewed from land, sky, and sea, from outer space to deep below the Earth’s surface.

Bentley CEO Nicholas Cumins said, “A 3D geospatial view is the most intuitive way for owner-operators and engineering services providers to search for, query, and visualise information about infrastructure networks and assets. With the combined capabilities of Cesium and iTwin, infrastructure professionals can make better informed decisions in full 3D geospatial context—all within a single, highly performant environment.”

Patrick Cozzi, CEO of Cesium, said, “Joining Bentley marks an important milestone for Cesium as we continue our journey to create the best developer platform for the built and natural environment—founded on open standards and open-source technologies. The combined power of our two organisations and our shared commitment to openness will provide new opportunities for growth and create greater value for an already flourishing developer ecosystem that ranges from small start-ups to global enterprises.”